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HelpTest Code LAB240 Fungal Culture
Additional Codes:
C FG
Notes:
Unacceptable/Rejected Specimens: Specimens in bacteriostatic saline, saline with preservatives or formalin; dried-out specimen; specimen more than 2 hrs old
Note: If NOCARDIA is suspected: EPIC users – enter Nocardia in the “Suspected Pathogen” field in the EPIC order screen; Non-EPIC users – order as an individual test under Fungal Culture on Microbiology request form.
Collection:
Specimen: See Special Instructions above.
Container:
Abscess or Wound: Collect specimen from margin of leading edge of wound.
Blood: Collect in Myco F Lytic Bottle - available from Microbiology Lab, 843-792-5161.
Bone Marrow: Collect in Myco F Lytic Bottle - available from Microbiology Lab, 843-792-5161.
Ceresbrospinal Fluid: Collected using surgical prep. NOTE: Fungal cultures on CSF from patients => 13 yrs old are routinely screened by Cryptococcal Antigen.
Dermatophyte Culture: All specimens may be inoculated directly to media or placed in a sterile container.
Hair: Scalp scraping or base of hair shaft. Do not submit hair clippings.
Nails: Clean site with alcohol (60 sec). Discard first scrapings from under the nail. Submit shavings and materialunderthe nail.
Skin: Clean site with alcohol (60 sec). (1) Scrape skin or scalp with edge of a clean microscope slide. Submit slide in sterile container. (2) Sample edge & center of lesion if exudate is present.
Cornea or Corneal Lesions: Inoculate directly to media.
Vitreous or Aqueous Humor: Send capped syringe (without needle) or inoculate directly to media.
Sputum, Endotracheal or Tracheal Aspirate: Specimens rejected for Bacterial Culture are not rejected for Fungal Culture. However, specimens which are predominantly saliva do not represent lower respiratory tract secretions. Results should be interpreted with caution.
Sterile Body Fluids: Submit in sterile container.
Throat, Mouth or Tongue Swab: Swab in transport media. No stain performed.
Tissue or Organ Biopsy: Submit tissue in sterile container with small amount of nonbacteriostatic saline.
Urine: B-D Urine culture tube or Sterile leak-proof container.
Volume: Respiratory Specimen: Minimum 5 ml
Abscess or Wound: Sterile container (aspirate preferable).
Blood: 1-5 ml (3-5 ml preferred), refer to Myco F Lytic Bottle instructions.
Bone Marrow: Minimum 0.5 ml, Max 5 ml, refer to Myco F Lytic Bottle instructions.
CSF - 1 mL, Minimum 0.5mL.
Respiratory Specimen: Minimum 5 ml
Sterile Body Fluids - 5 mL; Minimum 1 mL in sterile container
Tissue or Organ Biopsy - 1 gm minimum
Urine - B-D Urine culture tube or Sterile leak-proof container.
Turnaround Time (TAT):
Stains are performed once per day, Monday – Saturday. CWS stains positive for nonseptate or for septate hyphae from normally sterile body sites are called to physician immediately. Negatives reported at 28 days as appropriate for specimen source. Yeast Cultures (no smear) are read for 7 days. Negative reports at 7 days.
Test Availability:
24 hours a day / 7 days a week. Stains are processed once per day. Qualitative Cryptococcal Antigen test is performed 24 hours a day / 7days a week. Quanititative Cryptococcal Antigen is performed 7 days a week 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
Request Form:
Microbiology – Green Request Form
Send To:
UMC MAIN LABORATORY Specimen Receiving – EH318 Children’s Hospital
Reference Interval:
No fungi isolated.